Koch Records

About Koch Records

Koch Records, the primary subsidiary of Koch Entertainment LP, is an independent record label in the United States. It is also distributed by the Universal Music Group in Europe and in Asia under the name Koch Universal. Koch Records was formed in May 1999 by Alex Ameen to serve as the North American umbrella for Koch Entertainment's labels. They would sign many country, classical, and rock acts including, Cledus T. Judd, Chris Brubeck, Bob James, and an exclusive distribution with Suge Knight's embattled Death Row Records. The label soon began to gain ground on the other independent record labels in the United States. In the 2000s, they began to sign more hip hop acts and become one of the biggest hip hop labels in the world. They signed various distribution deals with labels like Open Bar Entertainment, Terror Squad, D-Block Records, and others. In 2004, they were able to sign a deal with Snoop Dogg and his Doggystyle Records along with Mobb Deep. They hired Snoop Dogg on to head up their western spin off Koch West. Koch also added on to their roster, Cam'ron and his Diplomat Records. Diplomat rapper, Jim Jones would rise to prominince on the label through the deal. They would sign Yonkers rapper, J-Hood and his label On Da Grind Ent.. Koch has also had releases from 2Pac, Tha Dogg Pound, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger and Gangsta Advisory. In 2007, when they signed J-Hood they gave him a big position in their Koch East division. In 2007, they signed a distribution deal with Foxy Brown and her Black Rose Entertainment, as well as with Ray J and his label Knockout Entertainment. Former Roc-A-Fella Records star Omillo Sparks has signed a solo deal with Koch. Slim Thug was signed to the label along with his Boss Hoggs label in late 2005. Koch Records also releases almost all children's music, such as Pokemon, Barney, Sesame Street, The Wiggles, and Fraggle Rock.

In 2003, Master P moved his No Limit Records' roster to Koch Records for a chance of better promotion and more creative control. This deal added C-MurderShatara, Silkk Tha Shocker, Los, Magic, TRU, and Lil' Romeo to the label. In 2005, Romeo created a label that is to distribute No Limit through Koch, Gutta Music. He would sign Rich Boyz, Lil' D,Money Long Click and others to the label. In October 2007, Fat Joe announced that he had moved his Terror Squad label once again from EMI to an exclusive distribution deal with Koch Records. Koch already had Terror Squad artist DJ Khaled on their increasing roster, now they also have Fat Joe and Tony Sunshine to Koch. The first album to come from this deal was Terror Squad's third album, A New Story. Despite the deal, Fat Joe's The Elephant in the Room will be released on EMI's Imperial Records and Virgin Records. All of his next albums will all be released on Koch Records.

In an effort to increase promotion and save money, Koch and Epic Records have teamed up on its new signees on joint ventures from 2007 to the present. Through these deals, Epic combines its A&R department and label promoters with Koch and they sign, cross-fund, and cross-promote their artists. Through this deal they have signed Chicago emcee Yung Berg and his Yung Boss Records, and J.R.'s Bulega Heights, which is home to big-name artist Sean Kingston. Both labels have extended this deal. Epic now distributes all Koch releases, similar to the Tommy Boy Records deal with Warner Bros. Records.

In an effort to increase promotion and save money, Koch and Epic Records have teamed up on its new signees on joint ventures from 2007 to the present. Through these deals, Epic combines its A&R department and label promoters with Koch and they sign, cross-fund, and cross-promote their artists. Through this deal they have signed Chicago emcee Yung Berg and his Yung Boss Records, and J.R.'s Bulega Heights, which is home to big-name artist Sean Kingston. Both labels have extended this deal. Epic now distributes all Koch releases, similar to the Tommy Boy Records deal with Warner Bros. Records.